Veterans and supporters lined the streets of Dexter Avenue to honor the 420,000 veterans in Alabama at Montgomery's inaugural Veterans Day Parade today.

Today, Montgomery joins Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile as an official Veterans Day site with the parade that featured dignitaries Governor Bob Riley, Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange and several representatives from the military.

Long before the 11 a.m. Alabama Air National
Guard 187th Fighter Wing flyover signifying the beginning of the parade, veterans gathered on the Capitol steps in to reflect about their time spent in uniform. For most, today's events are something that should have been started a long time ago in the Capital City.

Air Force veteran Wheeler Foshee fought in the Korean War 51 years ago. He said that today is a day of humbling remembrance for him.

"Having lost a bunch of friends of mine in the Korean War, this really touches my heart that the majority of people in the United States honor war veterans on a given day," he said. "It means a tremendous amount to me, as it does to all veterans."

Wheeler, who also worked as the Assistant of Agriculture for the White House under John F. Kennedy, said that he is glad the Capital City is making more of an effort to honor veterans.

"I think this is a long time coming, I'd say we are about 50 years behind," he said of the parade. "But better late than never I suppose, I am just proud to be honored here today."

Larry Sternes, who fought in the Army 5th Special Forces in Vietnam, praised Mayor Strange for his efforts in bringing this parade to a reality.

"This is fantastic. We needed to be doing this for a long time, and finally vets are being recognized in Montgomery."

Sternes said that for the soldiers like himself that fought in the Korean War, being honored today means something more.

"When we came home, we were spat on," he said. "Now, we are being celebrated- and that makes all the difference."

After the parade, Strange and Riley spoke to the crowd.

As to why Montgomery hasn't had a Veterans Day Parade before, Strange said, "I wish I knew the answer, but I don't. But, there is no
better time to start than now to honor our military because of the great
sacrifice that those in this region have given."

Gov. Riley said, "Everything that we are and everything that we will be is because of that man and women who wears our nation's uniform. I hope we never get to the point where we take it for granted, but I do hope we get to the point where we see a man or woman who wears the uniform we will walk up and say, 'Thank you.'"